Jay Z Accepts Songwriters Hall of Fame Honor, Pays Homage to Hip-Hop

On Thursday (June 15), Shawn Corey Carter became the first rapper ever to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Fame. He wasn’t able to attend the induction ceremony — likely because his wife Beyoncé may be in the process giving birth to the couple’s twin babies — but he was able to make a speech sorts Twitter.

Another important person got his shoutout, too. “And the greatest rapper all time OBAMA . Thank you 44.”

Former President Barack Obama didn’t just get props, he also gave them out. In a video that was played at the induction ceremony, Obama spoke about his connection and appreciation for his good friend Jay.

“Nobody who met us as younger men would have expected us to be where we are today,” said the former president. “You know what it’s like not to have a father around, you know what it’s like not to come from much and to know people who didn’t get the same breaks that we did. So we try to prop open those doors opportunity so that it’s a little easier for those who come up behind us to succeed as well.”

Although Jay wasn’t present at the ceremony, the iconic MC sent his longtime friend and publisher Jon Platt on his behalf. “When it comes to the industry’s biggest honors, the hip-hop community has a very long history being told. ‘You’re not songwriters,’ ‘You’re not quite there yet,’ ‘It’s not your time yet,’” he said. “Well, to all the songwriters and artists from our community and our generation, Jay would want you to know that this induction is a signal that your time has come and your time is now. He would tell up-and-coming hip-hop artists today that there can be no mistake or question that you are indeed songwriters, and your gift cannot ever be overlooked. And Jay would want you to know that as proud as he is to be the first, he’s even more proud that he won’t be the last.”